Topic: Window Glass cleaner/solvent ?

[Brian Conway]

     The window glass on my 69 has staining that I cannot remove.  The staining appears to be hard water residue, acid rain etching, rain-x stains or some such man made problem.  The staining is difficult to see straight on but at an angle is obvious.  I have tried several approach's including windex, laundry detergent, vinegar, lacquer thinner, gasoline, gunk-off, lift-off and #000 steel wool.  This stuff, what ever it is,  is smooth to the touch and does not seem to want to come off.  Tried the search function in this section and no results.  Maybe some of you guys from the harsher climes have experience or tips on how to deal with this cloudy residue ?  Thanks,  Brian

[midlife]

Wow.  Usually 000 steel wool removes everything.  You probably have a chemically altered glass, which is probably not repairable.  The only thing you didn't mention is a razor blade...worth a try.

[Brian Conway]

Thanks for the suggestion.  Tried the razor blade after the Windex failed.  Brian

[suskeenwiske]

I have a feeling that the glass has been etched by whatever acids were present in the rain or other chemicals over the years. If what's still there is a very thin layer of mineral salts of some sort, you may be able to remove it using Tarn-X, Lime-A-Way or Muriatic Acid. Try them on an inconspicuous spot and be very careful. Also, remember, add acid to water...NEVER water to acid. Another trick that may help is to use a fine abrasive tooth paste and water rubbed gently...again in an inconspicuous spot. If too abrasive, it will scratch the glass. If that doesn't work, check with a Car Dealer, they may have something not readily available to the public.

All of this having been said, if the glass is etched, none of the above will work and don't know if a polish of some sort is available that will help.

Best of Luck.

Ray

[5F08KGT]

Don't laugh.......may be try Sno-Bol on a rag........that should cut any hard water related stuff.

[Brian Conway]

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0CCYQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.acehardware.com%2Fproduct%2Findex.jsp%3FproductId%3D1432198&ei=OpRFU-DSCIaFlAWxvoG4Cg&usg=AFQjCNGpdFotNrRRWFx84H0hjubkjsj9tg&bvm=bv.64507335,d.aWc
     Had to google it.  Thanks, right now I will give anything a try just to see.  I am not desperate just curious.  None of the usual cleaners have made a dent.  I did give toothpaste a shot along with the other usual and unusual things.  I know a fella that used to own a glass shop and he suggested the steel wool.  After that he had no other remedies.  Brian

[Hipo giddyup]

There are some folks that can compound windows. The glass in my 67 had windshield wiper marks and scratches from someone not replacing he wipers when needed. It took him an hour to do the whole windshield and cost me $100 but when he was done it was near perfect, like new. The guy at the glass shop should have heard this one. The technique is actually polishing off a top layer of glass.

[Hipo giddyup]

Eastwood has a polishing kit, try searching windshield polishing. Hope that helps.